Boy Scout Backlash – Girls Scouts Say ‘No Boys Allowed’

Unlike the Boy Scouts of America agreeing to include girls in Cub Scouts up to Eagle Scouts, the girl Scouts are saying 'No Boys Allowed!'

Marketing and Communications Manager for Montana Girl Scouts Kristi Osterlund said in no uncertain terms, they are opposed to the move the Boy Scouts made on Wednesday.

"The bottom line is that Girl Scouts is the best leadership experience for girls in the world," said Osterlund. "The reason is that only we have the history and the expertise and the time-tested and safe programming that's designed specifically to meet the unique needs and interests of girls."

Osterlund said the Boy Scouts have made a bad decision.

"We think the decision by the Boy Scouts is unfortunate," she continued. "We believe that putting girls in a mixed gender environment is a disservice to girls. There's a great deal of research that indicates the benefits of a single gender environment, and not just for girls, but for boys as well. The Girl Scouts gives girls a safe place to experience new things, to take risks and even to fail in a safe environment."

Asked if the Girl Scouts would be opening their program to include boys, the answer was an unequivocal 'no'.

"No, sir," she said. "That is not our intention. Girl Scouts remains committed to and we believe strongly in the importance of an all-girl, girl-led and girl-friendly environment. That's what we have provided for the last 105 years and it's what we will continue to provide."